Microplastics in mussels and fish from the Northern Ionian Sea. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Digka, Nikoletta; Tsangaris, Catherine; Torre, Michele; Anastasopoulou, Aikaterini; Zeri, Christina
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 135(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Microplastic ingestion -- Marine organisms -- Mediterranean Sea -- FTIR spectroscopy; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Microplastic ingestion by marine organisms presents an emerging threat to marine ecosystems; microplastics in different marine species are currently reported worldwide. This study aims to assess microplastic ingestion in four, highly commercial, marine species from Greek waters in the Northern Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Microplastics were found in mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) and all three fish species ( Sardina pilchardus, Pagellus erythrinus, Mullus barbatus ) examined. The frequency of occurrence of ingested microplastics was 46.25% in mussels, while among fish species, S . pilchardus showed the highest frequency of microplastic ingestion (47.2%). Microplastic abundance ranged from 1.7–2 items/individual in mussels and from 1.5–1.9 items/individual in fish. The majority of ingested microplastics were fragments, while their color and size varied. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated polyethylene as the most common polymer type in mussels and fish. Results can be used to set baseline levels for the assessment of microplastic pollution in the Ionian Sea. Highlights: Microplastics were detected in commercial species from the Northern Ionian Sea. Sardines and mussels presented the highest frequency of occurrence of ingested microplastics. Polyethylene is the most common polymer detected in the species investigated.